Freesat Summary

Freesat is a subscription-free digital TV service which is broadcast using satellite technology.  It offers free-to-air channels to UK homes, and is a joint venture between BBC and ITV.  You need a Freesat digital set-top box or Freesat integrated TV and a dish, but there are no bills or contracts, and viewers can watch in high definition if they have an HD TV.

The only cost with Freesat is the equipment, and after that you never pay any bills or subscription fees at all.  You will need a Freesat set-top box which will decode the digital signal, or you can buy a Freesat integrated HD TV, which means that Freesat is actually built into the TV and it’s ready for high definition viewing.

You need a dish to receive the digital broadcast with Freesat, and you can use your old Sky dish or one that was already there when you moved in; otherwise, you can buy a dish and installation when you order Freesat online or in the shop.

Once the HD TV or set-top box is connected to the dish you can start watching the free-to-air digital channels available with Freesat, and there are other features too, such as Freesat+ for pause, rewind and record, and Freesat on demand content so you can watch shows and catch up whenever you want.

Freesat Services

With Freesat+ you get more control over your viewing, because you can pause, rewind and record live TV.  There are no discs or tapes needed; everything is recorded straight to the set-top box memory, so you can choose to watch a recorded TV episode at any time, pause live sport or rewind the best bits of a movie.

There’s nothing like watching TV in clear, crisp high definition.  HD enhances both picture and sound, giving you the best viewing experience, and with Freesat HD you can watch the free-to-air high definition channels from the comfort of your own home.

If you want to enjoy high definition with Freesat, you can choose to go for an HD-enabled Freesat set-top box or an integrated Freesat HDTV.

As a Freesat customer, you can watch BBC and ITV programmes on demand with BBC iPlayer and ITV Player, accessed through your TV.  The Freesat service comes with these on demand and catch-up services, and they give you an opportunity to watch the shows you missed at any time you like.  Freesat on demand has proven to be so popular because it is convenient and means you don’t have to miss a moment of your favourite TV.

Freesat Channels

Freesat includes a wide selection of free-to-air digital channels, including BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5, as well as popular sister stations like BBC Three, ITV2, E4 and More4.  As long as you have an HD TV and Freesat HD box, or an integrated Freesat HDTV, then you can watch high definition free-to-air channels like BBC HD, ITV1 HD and 4 HD.  If you see something is on at an inconvenient time then you can record with Freesat+, but some channels also have +1 stations, meaning that programmes show an hour later than the main broadcast.

You can take advantage of this with ITV2+1, Channel 4+1, E4+1 and several others.  There are over 150 TV and radio channels, including movie stations like Film4, Horror Channel and True Movies, as well as news channels like BBC News and CNBC.

A Freesat HD box lets you watch in stunning high definition, so you can receive all the free-to-air HD channels at no extra cost.  You do need an HD-ready TV to watch, but with Freesat HD there is no additional monthly cost to enjoy watching in this crisp, clear format.

If you are looking to upgrade your TV so you can watch in high definition, then you can get an integrated TV, combining HD TV with Freesat.  Many of these products also allow access to the BBC iPlayer and ITV Player on demand platforms through the TV.

Freesat Packages

Freesat is a subscription-free service; there are no packages, just one simple digital TV service delivered via satellite.  There are over 150 channels, and with a range of Freesat products you can choose the comprehensiveness of your service.

If you want to be able to pause, rewind and record live TV, then you can purchase a Freesat+ box.  The box has extensive memory so you can keep recordings, and if you need to stop a programme then you can pause it, and continue later.  Many manufacturers make Freesat boxes, so there are plenty to choose from, and you can experience the impressive visuals of high definition by getting a Freesat HD box.  Then you can watch the free-to-air HD channels at no extra cost, as long as you have an HD-ready TV.

The only cost to you is the one-off cost you pay for the box, or integrated TV.  You can also choose a box which includes Freesat on demand TV, and you will be able to select catch-up TV from BBC and ITV to watch when you want.

Several manufacturers build Freesat boxes, so there are different types to choose from, and some are actually integrated into a TV.  A Freesat+ box will let you pause, rewind and record live TV, using the remote, and many boxes have a large memory capacity so you can record hours of TV.

Freesat Boxes

Freesat SD

• Pause and rewind

• Record live TV

• On-screen guide

• Different models available

Freesat HD

• Watch in HD

• BBC iPlayer (selected models)

• On-screen guide

• Different models available

Freesat+ HD TV Recorder

Digital TV Guides

What is HD?

High definition TV offers viewers enhanced picture and sound quality, improving the whole experience and making movies, sport and TV much more vivid and crisp. Read our detailed guide about HD TV.

What is Digital TV?

Digital TV broadcasts images and sound through a digital transmission, which is an enhanced, more efficient way to send a TV signal. Read more about digital TV, the benefits and subscription services.

Types of Digital TV

Digital TV can be broadcast in different ways, such as via satellite or fibre-optic cable. This short guide will tell you more about each method of digital TV signal broadcast, and the relevant providers.

The Digital Switchover

The Digital Switchover is shutting down the analogue signal throughout the UK, changing all TV services to digital. Our guide tells you about the process, benefits, cost, TV boxes and what you have to do.

What is On Demand TV?

Catch-up with your favourite TV shows, access classic archived sport and watch brand new film releases with on demand TV. You can browse libraries of content, and at the touch of a button whenever you like.

Other Providers